day 5 of the campervan trip through the north island of nz
today's target is opitiki at the east end of the bay of plenty
choice - 2 hours direct inland or 6 hours round the coast road
both apparantly offering stunning scenery - but we in no hurry
so the long haul wins out especially with another stunning day
we also have the latest edition of the guide to the pacific highway
superbly detailing every point-of-interest and distance along the way
the biggest concern on this gift of a day is hours of sunlight (only 14)
as we creep out of the tatapouri campground at 7am and head north
first stop - tolaga bay with it's impressive 600 metre long wharf
built in the 1920's to service ships but now it's pedestrians only
the beach itself quite extraordinary - piles of driftwood abound
we pass through the maori welcome entrance and onto the wharf
a set of railway tracks in the centre leading us to the distant end
some young fisherman well set up there and looking very relaxed
tempting to take a plunge into the beautiful blue-green seawater
but no ladder provides the necessary out and then a walk back
check the guide and head off - how much better can it get?
anaura bay - our guide says it is one of the most beautiful
a few kilometers drive up the off-road to a high point
jaw-dropping views of the bay beyond the native bush
a drive down and a walk onto the wide, flat, pristine beach
me - all i can do is put my head back and utter some quiet thanks
the definition of overwhelming is experienced at this time and place
a mental bookmark made for future reference and a return visit
and a decision made to push on to the most eastern point of nz
still quite a distance away so a few hours easily spent driving
mostly in a rural setting with many farmers spotted at work
we push on to the top of the cape and then head eastwards
the plan is to get to east cape and check out the lighthouse
but a narrow, 20km gravel road gets tedious within 1 of them
stop, park, explore and then double-back and on to hicks bay
underwhelming also - tourist town it is not - for better or worse
and pretty well from that point on for the rest of the day the same
stunning scenery with the road surging high up and then down low
a very good road too so the driving very easy and most enjoyable
few towns encountered and even fewer cafes - the tummies not happy
a stop at the waihau bay pub offers no food and about the same hospitality
we are now convinced this whole part of nz is resisting the tourism boom
but we are resourceful - a tuna and avocado open sandwich is conjured
consumed in the shade by a small bay shared with some snorkellers
then push on to opitiki - 8 hours later - stock up and onwards again
spot a sign to ohiwa bay caravan park at the start of a long weekend
fearing congestion we head in, queue up and secure a parking space
another great find - beachside, great facilities though also crowded
relatively at least but the kitchen empty so our evening meal had
mussels, snapper fillets, fresh asparagus and some more shiraz
both very tired after an exhilerating day of drive and discovery
the decision to take the long road totally vindicated - tick...
